System and method for enabling safe hands-free operation of a wireless telephone in a vehicle

ABSTRACT

A system and method for using a wireless telephone in a vehicle in a hands-free mode. The wireless telephone and the vehicle have corresponding mating units. When a predetermined condition is satisfied while the mating units are not united, one of the wireless telephone and the vehicle is disabled. The predetermined condition can be one of several situations. For example, one condition may be that an attempt is being made to use the wireless telephone in the vehicle while the vehicle is moving. Another condition may be that an attempt is being made to move the vehicle while the wireless telephone is being used in a wireless communication session within the vehicle. When the mating units are united, the vehicle functions normally and the wireless telephone operates in a hands-free mode.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to wireless telephones, and moreparticularly, to a system and method for enabling safe hands-freeoperation of a wireless telephone in a vehicle.

2. Background of the Invention

It has been reported that using a wireless telephone while driving is amajor cause of traffic accidents. Drivers who must keep their wirelesstelephones close to their ears are unable to keep both hands on thesteering wheels. Many governments are enacting laws that regulate theuse of wireless telephones in moving vehicles.

Efforts have been made to enable drivers to use their wirelesstelephones in a “hands-free” mode. One such effort is described in U.S.Pat. No. 5,867,794, which was granted to Hayes et al. on Feb. 2, 1999(the “'794 Patent”). The '794 Patent discloses a wireless telephonecommunication device that can be operated in a hands-free mode withreceived audio signals being relayed to the vehicle's radio for outputon the speakers of the vehicle's radio. Basically, the devicere-transmits the received audio using an FM frequency that is receivedand reproduced by the radio of the vehicle. The '794 patent isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

As described below, the present invention relies on pinpointing thelocation of the wireless telephone relative to the vehicle. The FederalCommunications Commission (FCC) has promulgated new rules related toemergency call processing. The FCC's wireless Enhanced 911 (E911) rulesrequire certain Commercial Mobile Radio Services (CMRS) carriers tobegin transmission of enhanced location and identity information in twophases. The first phase, which began on Apr. 1, 1998, required wirelessservice providers to transmit a 911 caller's number and section of thecell site from which the call is originated to a public safety answeringpoint (PSAP). The second phase, scheduled to begin on Oct. 31, 2001,requires all wireless service providers to locate two-thirds of all 911callers within 125 meters of their physical locations. In other words,for all 911 calls received, a PSAP must be able to pinpoint 67% of thecallers within 125 meters. It is expected that location trackingtechnologies to be utilized to implement E911 are likely to have greateraccuracy than that required by the FCC.

Under the FCC rules, wireless communication networks and wirelesstelephones (or any wireless devices that can be used to call 911), mustprovide both the identity and location of the caller to a 911dispatcher. To provide a caller's identity, the wireless device willfurnish a device identification, e.g., a mobile identification number(MIN), indicating in most instances the telephone number of the device.To provide a caller's location, the wireless communication networks andwireless devices will use a network-based location system or a handheldlocation system installed within the wireless devices, or a combinationof the two systems. An example of a handheld location system is a GlobalPositioning System (GPS) receiver. U.S. Pat. No. 5,663,734, which isincorporated herein by reference, discloses a GPS receiver and a methodfor processing GPS signals.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a system and method for enabling safehands-free operation of a wireless telephone in a vehicle. Oneembodiment of the invention disables or suspends wireless communicationcapabilities of the wireless telephone until the wireless telephone isdocked in or mated with the vehicle to allow a hands-free operation ofthe wireless telephone. Another embodiment disables or suspendsoperation of the vehicle until mating units of the wireless telephoneand the vehicle are united so that the wireless telephone can beoperated hands-free. Different technologies can be used to determine thepresence of the wireless telephone within the vehicle. A number ofdifferent methods can be used to disable one of the wireless telephoneand the vehicle. Similarly, a variety of ways can be utilized toimplement the hands-free mode of the wireless telephone.

In one embodiment, location tracking technology is utilized to determinethe presence of the wireless telephone within the vehicle. In thisembodiment, location information pinpointing the locations of both thewireless telephone and the vehicle is processed by a microprocessor todetermine whether a potentially unsafe condition exists for simultaneoususe of the wireless telephone and the vehicle. If the unsafe conditionexists, e.g., if the wireless telephone is located within a movingvehicle, then the wireless telephone is disabled unless and until thewireless telephone is switched to a hands-free mode. Preferably, thehands-free mode is enabled only when the wireless telephone is docked inor mated with the vehicle.

In another embodiment, the vehicle is adapted to interfere with wirelesscommunication capabilities of the wireless telephone when the wirelesstelephone is located within the vehicle. Preferably, when the vehicle isin motion, a device installed in the vehicle creates an interferencethat disrupts any wireless communication attempted by the driver or thepassengers. Preferably, the interference is calibrated to affect alimited space within the vehicle. For example, if the device isinstalled in the steering wheel of the vehicle, no wirelesscommunication session may be established by the wireless telephonewithin a two-foot distance of the steering wheel. When the wirelesstelephone is docked in or mated with the vehicle, the interference isterminated to enable hands-free operation of the wireless telephone. Thedevice may be, for example, a transceiver that can generate appropriateradio signals to interfere with the wireless telephone's operation.

During the hands-free mode, audio signals received by the wirelesstelephone are channeled, routed, or otherwise transmitted to one or morespeakers that can reproduce or output sound at a decibel level loudenough for the user/driver to hear without putting the wirelesstelephone next to his or her ear. In one implementation, the speaker maybe that which is normally used to output sounds from a radio. In anotherimplementation, the speaker may be a dedicated speaker installed in thevehicle for the purposes of the invention. In still anotherimplementation, the speaker may be a component of the wireless telephoneitself.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, the wireless telephone or thevehicle, or both, are equipped with a sound module. The sound moduleworks during the hands-free mode. The sound module enables the user toperform a number of tasks hands-free, for example, the driver can dialtelephone numbers using his or her voice with the sound module.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a system architecture of oneembodiment of the invention that utilizes location tracking technology.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps involved in using oneembodiment of the invention in which the wireless telephone is disabledunless it is in the hands-free mode.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps involved in usinganother embodiment of the invention in which the vehicle is disabledunless the wireless telephone is in the hands-free mode.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a system architecture of anotherembodiment of the invention in which the vehicle generates aninterference to prevent use of the wireless telephone unless thewireless telephone is in the hands-free mode.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps involved in using anembodiment of the invention in which no wireless communication sessionmay be established by any wireless telephone within the vehicle exceptduring a hands-free mode.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps involved in using anembodiment of the invention in which no wireless communication sessionmay be established by a specific wireless telephone within the vehicleexcept during a hands-free mode.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a system architecture of anembodiment of the invention that incorporates a sound module.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps involved in using anembodiment of the invention that incorporates a sound module.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the system architecture of anembodiment of the present invention that utilizes location trackingtechnology.

Wireless telephone 110 comprises a microphone 111, a speaker 112, an RFprocessor 113, a location system 114, an audio data processor 115, amicroprocessor 116, a memory 117, an antenna 118, and a mating unit 119.Wireless telephone 110 is a component operating within wirelesscommunication network 100. Wireless communication network 100 includeslocation system 134, microprocessor 136, memory 137, and base station138. Vehicle 120 may be an automobile, a bus, a truck, or other vehiclewithin which wireless telephone 110 is adapted to operate in ahands-free mode. Ignition system 121, speaker 122, audio system 123,location system 124, speedometer 125, microprocessor 126, memory 127,antenna 128, mating unit 129, and RF processor 131 are components ofvehicle 120.

Mating unit 119 of wireless telephone 110 is adapted to dock in or matewith corresponding mating unit 129 of vehicle 120. Mating units 119 and129 can be one of several docking or cradle systems that enableswireless telephone 110 to rest securely within vehicle 120. Preferably,mating units 119 and 129 have corresponding pins or conductors thatenable signal transmission between wireless telephone 110 and vehicle120. For example, audio signals received by wireless telephone 110 canbe transmitted through mating units 119 and 129 for output by speaker122. Another method for outputting audio signals by speaker 122 isdisclosed in the '794 Patent.

Preferably, mating unit 119 is adapted to switch wireless telephone 110into the hands-free mode when it is united with mating unit 129.Preferably, mating unit 129 is adapted to control ignition system 121through microprocessor 126. When wireless telephone 110 is operated inthe hands-free mode, microphone 111 operates normally, but wirelesstelephone 110 transmits received audio signals for output through thevehicle's speaker 122.

Speaker 122 is part of audio system 123 of vehicle 120. Audio system 123may be a radio, a compact disc player, a cassette player, or acombination of the above. During a hands-free operation of wirelesstelephone 110, in some embodiments, sound that would otherwise be outputby speaker 112 is channeled via mating units 119 and 129 for output byspeaker 122. Speaker 122 may be that which is typically used to outputsound received via FM or AM broadcast signals. Speaker 122 can also be adedicated speaker installed on vehicle 120 for the purposes ofimplementing this invention. In other embodiments, speaker 112 itselfcan be adapted to output sound at an increased decibel level that ishigh enough for the user of wireless telephone 110 to hear duringhands-free operations.

Location systems 114 and 124 generate location information pinpointingthe locations of wireless telephone 110 and vehicle 120, respectively.In addition to or in lieu of location systems 114 and 124, which aremobile units incorporated within wireless telephone 110 and vehicle 120,respectively, network-based location system 134 may be used to generatelocation information for wireless telephone 110 and vehicle 120 may beused.

For example, location systems 114 and 124 are GPS receivers that are inwireless communication with a constellation of GPS satellites (notshown). In preferred embodiments, the addition of network-based locationsystem 134 to location systems 114 and 124 provides redundancy,accuracy, and reliability. Location information may be generated bylocation system 134 using known methods. For example, location system134 may use signal strengths received from three or more base stationsthat are in communication with wireless telephone 110 and vehicle 120.

Location information generated by location systems 114, 124, and 134comprises point coordinates of wireless telephone 110 and vehicle 120.The point coordinates comprise an X component and a Y component of acoordinate system. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention,the location information comprises a longitude and a latitude. Forincreased accuracy and granularity, the location information can furthercomprise an altitude that represents a Z component of the coordinatesystem. This accounts for the possibility that the vehicle may belocated in, for example, a parking garage such that the user and thevehicle may have the same X, Y coordinates, but still be far apart.

The location information can be generated in accordance with certainpredetermined rules or schedules. For example, the location informationfor wireless telephone 110 is generated continuously when wirelesstelephone 110 is in standby or active mode. To conserve battery onwireless telephone 110, it is preferably that the location informationfor wireless telephone 110 be generated only when an attempt toestablish a communication session is made. Preferably, the locationinformation for vehicle 120 is generated continuously when the engine ofvehicle 120 is running.

In preferred embodiments, location systems 114 and 124 are GPS receiversthat generate the location information using information received from aconstellation of GPS satellites. Network-based location system 134 cangenerate the location system using triangulation across cell sites basedon, for example, signals detected from wireless telephone 110 andvehicle 120. In other embodiments, the location information may begenerated using designation of cell sites.

In one embodiment in which the intelligence of the invention isnetwork-based, microprocessor 136 receives location information ofwireless telephone 110 and vehicle 120 from one or more of locationsystems 114, 124, and 134. In addition, microprocessor 136 can receiveidentity information of wireless telephone 110 and vehicle 120. Theidentity information may comprise, for example, serial numbers ofwireless telephone 110 and vehicle 120. For wireless telephone 110, theidentity information may be one or more of the electronic serial number(ESN) and the mobile identification number (MIN) of wireless telephone110. For vehicle 120, other identification methods may be used. Forexample, location system 124 may be assigned a unique number, such asvehicle identification number (VIN). The unique number serves as theidentity information of vehicle 120. Microprocessor 136 receives thelocation and identity information using known wireless communicationtechnologies.

Using the location information and the identity information of wirelesstelephone 110 and vehicle 120, microprocessor 136 can be adapted toexecute a number of actions according to rules, instructions, orpreferences provided by a user of wireless telephone 110. For example,microprocessor 136 can use the location information and the identityinformation to activate or deactivate one or more service featuressubscribed to by the user of wireless telephone 110. Any servicefeatures available in wireless communications may be activated ordeactivated by the present invention. These service features caninclude, for example, disabling or suspending part or all functions ofwireless telephone 110, forwarding all calls intended for wirelesstelephone 110 to a different telephone, or routing all calls intendedfor wireless telephone 110 to a voice mailbox.

Although shown as separate components in FIG. 1, memory 117, 127, and137 can be an integrated component of microprocessors 116, 126, and 136,respectively. Each of memories 117, 127, and 137 can store, for example,the location information, the identity information, and the rules,instructions, or preferences supplied by the user.

In embodiments in which the intelligence of the invention is notnetwork-based, one or both microprocessors 116 and 126 can be used toexecute the rules, instructions, or preferences of the user. Forexample, microprocessor 116 and memory 117 can process locationinformation received from one or more of location systems 114, 124, and134 to suspend or disable wireless telephone 110 if mating units 119 and129 are not united. Similarly, in another example, microprocessor 126and memory 127 can process location information received from one ormore of location systems 114, 124, and 134 to disallow operation ofvehicle 120 until mating units 119 and 129 are united. In one specificimplementation, for example, microprocessor 126 can prevent ignitionsystem 121 from starting the engine of vehicle 120.

In some embodiments, in lieu of or in addition to location system 124,information received from speedometer 125 of vehicle 120 can be used todecide whether wireless telephone 110 should be disabled or suspended.For example, if vehicle 120 is moving, wireless telephone 110 will beinoperable within vehicle 120 until mating units 119 and 129 are united.Location systems 114, 124 and 134 can also provide information regardingwhether vehicle 120 is moving. For example, microprocessor 126 candetermine location versus time to calculate a velocity of vehicle 120.

Antenna 118, antenna 128, and base station 138 are used during wirelesscommunication sessions among wireless telephone 110, vehicle 120, andnetwork 100.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing exemplary steps involved in using oneembodiment of the present invention. For convenience and illustrationpurposes, references are made to elements shown in FIG. 1.

In step 202, an authority defines a set of rules, instructions, orpreferences to implement the invention. That authority may be, forexample, the user, a parent of the user, an employer of the user, or agovernment agency. In embodiments in which location tracking technologyis used, for example, the rules can relate or associate locationinformation of wireless telephone 110 and vehicle 120 with the executionof one or more actions. The actions may affect operations of wirelesstelephone 110 or vehicle 120, or both.

Specific examples of the rules may include:

Rule No. 1: When wireless telephone 110 is located within apredetermined distance, e.g., ten feet, of vehicle 120, issue a warningto the user that the user should not continue to use wireless telephone110 if the user plans to drive vehicle 120.

Rule No. 2: If vehicle 120 begins to move while wireless telephone 110is engaged in a wireless communication session, disable wirelesstelephone 110 immediately unless mating units 119 and 129 are united fora hands-free operation of wireless telephone 110.

Rule No. 3: If wireless telephone 110 is powered on while vehicle 120 ismoving, inform the user that wireless telephone 110 is inoperable untilmating units 119 and 129 are united.

In step 204, the rules are stored in memory 117, which is accessible tomicroprocessor 116. The rules may be stored in memory 117 using anyknown format. In preferred embodiments, the rules can be input by themanufacturer of wireless telephone 110, a representative of network 100,the authority that defined the rules in step 202, the user of wirelesstelephone 110, or any entity. In an embodiment in which the intelligenceis network based, memory 137 is used to store the rules, andmicroprocessor 136 is used to execute them.

In step 206, microprocessor 116 receives location information from oneor more of location systems 114, 124, and 134. The location information,as described above, can represent the positions of wireless telephone110 and vehicle 120 in a coordinate system. A change of position withrespect to time can be calculated as speed. In some embodiments,speedometer 125 can be used in lieu of location system 124 to providespeed information of vehicle 120.

In step 208, microprocessor 116 monitors whether the locationinformation received satisfies one or more of the conditions specifiedin the rules.

In step 210, as long as the information received by microprocessor 116indicates that it is safe to operate wireless telephone 110, e.g., noneof the conditions specified in step 202 has been satisfied, the processrepeats the cycle of steps 212, 208, and 210, during which wirelesstelephone 110 can be used normally, i.e., without having to unit matingunits 119 and 129.

If instead in step 210 it is determined that a potentially unsafecondition exists, e.g., wireless telephone 110 is located within tenfeet of vehicle 120 (see Rule No. 1), the process goes to step 214. Instep 214, the user is notified that mating units 119 and 129 must beunited to enable proper functioning of wireless telephone 110 in ahands-free mode. The notification may be auditory or visual. Forexample, a prerecorded message may be output by speaker 112 to ask theuser to unite mating units 119 and 129. The prerecorded messages can bestored in memory 127 or an auxiliary memory dedicated to messagestorage. Alternatively, a blinking light might call the user's attentionfor a textual or graphical warning shown on a display device of wirelesstelephone 110. If, however, it is determined that vehicle 120 is movingin step 210 (see Rule Nos. 2 and 3), then the process continues in step222, in which a service feature of wireless telephone 110 is executed.For example, wireless telephone 110's wireless communicationcapabilities are disabled in step 222.

In step 216, microprocessor 116 determines whether the user follows theinstructions provided in step 214. If so, the process goes to step 218,otherwise, the process go to steps 220 and 222.

In step 218, after the user followed the instruction in step 214,wireless telephone 110 operates in a hands-free mode. In other words,instead of using speaker 112 for output of sound, speaker 122 of vehicle120 is used. In some embodiments, as suggested above, speaker 112 itselfcan be adapted to output sound at a higher decibel to enable the user ofwireless telephone to hear during the hands-free mode.

If in step 216 the user ignores the notification, i.e., the user failsto unite mating units 119 and 129 as instructed in step 214, the processgoes to step 222, in which the voice communication session is terminatedby microprocessor 116. Preferably, an optional warning can be issued instep 220 to the user to unite mating units 119 and 129 before wirelesstelephone 110 is disabled in step 222.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing exemplary steps involved in using adifferent embodiment of the present invention. For convenience andillustration purposes, references are made to elements shown in FIG. 1.Steps 302 through 322 are generally similar to corresponding steps 202through 222. The main difference is that the intelligence is inmicroprocessor 126 instead of microprocessor 116.

In step 302, the rules for this embodiment may include, for example:

Rule No. 4: When wireless telephone 110 is being used by a user who isapproaching within ten feet of vehicle 120, notify the user that vehicle120 should not be driven if the user plans to continue using wirelesstelephone 110.

Rule No. 5: When wireless telephone 110 is detected to be engaging in awireless communication session within vehicle 120, suspend operation ofvehicle 120, e.g., disable ignition system 121, until mating units 119and 129 are united.

In step 304, the rules are stored in memory 127, which is accessible tomicroprocessor 126. Memory 127 may be an integrated component ofmicroprocessor 126 or it may be a separate unit. The rules may be storedin memory 127 using any known format. For example, the rules can beinput by the manufacturer of wireless telephone 110, representative ofnetwork 100, the user of wireless telephone 110, or another entity.

In step 306, microprocessor 126 receives location information from oneor more of location systems 114, 124, and 134. The location information,as described above, represents the positions of wireless telephone 110and vehicle 120. In addition, microprocessor 126 can receive speedinformation from speedometer 125.

In step 308, microprocessor 126 monitors whether the informationreceived in step 306 satisfies one or more of the conditions specifiedin the rules.

In step 310, as long as it is determined that it is safe to operatevehicle 120, e.g., none of the conditions specified in step 302 has beensatisfied, the process repeats the cycle of steps 312, 308, and 310, inwhich vehicle 120 can be used. Specifically, in step 312, microprocessor126 does not interfere with normal operation of any component of vehicle120.

However, if in step 310 it is determined that a potentially unsafecondition exists to operate vehicle 120, e.g., wireless telephone 110 isapproaching within ten feet of vehicle 120 (see Rule No. 4), the processgoes to step 314. If it is determined the wireless telephone 110 iswithin vehicle 120 (see Rule No. 5), the process goes directly to step322.

In step 314, the user is notified that mating units 119 and 129 must beunited to enable proper functioning of vehicle 120. The notification maybe auditory or visual. For example, a prerecorded sound may be output byspeaker 122 to inform the user to unite mating units 119 and 129.Alternatively, a blinking light on the dash board of vehicle 120 may beused to call the user's attention.

If the user follows the instructions in step 316, i.e., the user unitesmating units 119 and 129, the process goes to step 318.

In step 318, wireless telephone 110 operates in a hands-free mode. Inother words, speaker 122 of vehicle 120 is used to output sound signalreceived by wireless telephone 110. Alternatively, speaker 112 may beadapted to operate in the hands-free mode.

However, if in step 316 the user ignores the notification, i.e., theuser fails to unite mating units 119 and 129 as instructed in step 314,the process goes to step 322, in which vehicle 120 is disabled bymicroprocessor 126. Disabling can be done, for example, bymicroprocessor 126 that suspends operation of ignition system 121 ofvehicle 120. An optional warning may be issued in step 320 to the userto unite mating units 119 and 129.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a system architecture of adifferent embodiment of the invention in which the vehicle generatesinterference to prevent use of the wireless telephone unless thewireless telephone is in the hands-free mode.

Wireless telephone comprises microphone 411, speaker 412, RF processor413, audio data processor 415, microprocessor 416, memory 417, antenna418, and mating unit 419. Wireless telephone 410 operates withinwireless communication network 400, which includes home locationregister (HLR) 402, visitor location register (VLR) 404, and basestation 438. Vehicle 420 may be an automobile, a bus, a truck, or othervehicle within which wireless telephone 410 may be adapted to operate ina hands-free mode.

Switch 421, speaker 422, transmitter/receiver (transceiver) 424,speedometer 425, microprocessor 426, antenna 428, and mating unit 429are components of vehicle 420.

Mating unit 419 of wireless telephone 410 is adapted to mate withcorresponding mating unit 429 of vehicle 420. Mating units 419 and 429enable wireless telephone 410 to rest securely within vehicle 420.Preferably, mating units 419 and 429 have conductors that enabletransmission of signals from wireless telephone 410 to vehicle 420. Forexample, audio signals received or generated by wireless telephone 410can be channeled through mating units 419 and 429 for output by speaker422. Like mating units 119 and 129 described above, mating units 419 and429 can be adapted to transmit audio signals wirelessly using an FMchannel using, for example, the technology disclosed in the '794 Patent.

HLR 402, VLR 404, and base station 438 are components of network 400.When wireless telephone 410 is powered on, it “listens” on a controlchannel for a system identification code (SID) associated with network400 during a communication session. Also during the communicationsession, one or more of wireless telephone 410's ESN and MIN areprovided to wireless communication network 400. This allows network 400,through a mobile telephone switching office (MTSO) associated with basestation 438, to assign a voice channel (a duplex channel with afrequency pair) for wireless telephone 410 to communicate with anothertelephone using antenna 418.

During a voice communication session between wireless telephone 410 andanother telephone via network 400, wireless telephone 410 transmits aradio signal that is associated with a signal strength. The signalstrength is at its peak level near wireless telephone 410. The signalstrength is increasingly weaker away from wireless telephone 410. As itis well known to those skilled in the art, the signal strength variesinversely proportionately to the distance squared 1/r². Transceiver 424can be tuned to detect the signal transmitted by wireless telephone 410.Therefore, as it is known to those skilled in the art, as wirelesstelephone 410 approaches vehicle 420, the signal strength, as detectedby transceiver 424, increases. When transceiver 424 detects a signalstrength that exceeds a certain threshold, transceiver 424 creates aninterference to jam the signal used by wireless telephone 410.Preferably, the interference is calibrated to affect only a small spacesurrounding transceiver 424. For example, the interference only has aneffect within the driver seat area of vehicle 420 (e.g., within apredetermined distance, such as about two feet of the steering wheel ofvehicle 420). This enables someone other than the driver to use wirelesstelephone 410. The interference can be created using any known methods.For example, a radio signal that is stronger than that of wirelesstelephone 410 can be used as the interference.

In one embodiment, transceiver 424 is preferably not activated untilvehicle 420 is moving. In other words, transceiver 424 can be powered onor otherwise activated when vehicle 420 is in motion. For example,transceiver 424 is powered on when speedometer 425 registers a motion ofvehicle 420. In another embodiment, transceiver 424 can be activatedwhen the engine of vehicle 420 is running. Here, microprocessor 426 canbe adapted to power on transceiver 424 when an ignition system ofvehicle 420 is used to start the engine.

Mating unit 429 preferably has switch 421 incorporated within. Switch421 controls transceiver 424. When mating units 419 and 429 are united,e.g., mating unit 419 is inserted into mating unit 429, switch 421deactivates transceiver 424, resulting in termination of theinterference and enablement of wireless telephone 410 to operate in thehands-free mode.

In lieu of switch 421, mating unit 429 may be equipped with a sensingdevice (not shown) that communicates with microprocessor 426. When thesensing device detects that mating units 419 and 429 have been united,microprocessor deactivates transceiver 424.

When mating units 419 and 429 are separated while vehicle 420 is inmotion, transceiver 424 is re-activated, the interference is resumed,and wireless telephone 410 is once again incapable of establishing ormaintaining a wireless communication session.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps involved in using anembodiment of the invention in which no wireless communication sessionmay be established by any wireless telephone within vehicle 420 whenvehicle 420 is in motion, unless mating units 419 and 429 are united toenable a hands-free mode.

In step 502, when vehicle is operating, transceiver 424 is powered on oractivated. In one embodiment of the present invention, transceiver 424is powered on when the engine of vehicle 420 is running whether or notvehicle 420 is moving. In another embodiment of the present invention,transceiver 424 is activated only when vehicle 420 is in motion.Activation of transceiver 424 can be controlled through switch 421,which is in communication with one or both of speedometer 425 andmicroprocessor 426.

In step 504, transceiver 424 scans for signals transmitted by wirelesstelephone 420. As discussed above, the signal strength detected bytransceiver 424 can be used to determined the proximity of wirelesstelephone 420 from transceiver 424.

In step 506, as long as the signal strength detected by transceiver 424does not exceed a certain threshold, the process repeats steps 504 and506. The threshold may be, for example, a signal strength that indicatesthat wireless telephone 410 is located within vehicle 420. For example,the threshold may correspond to a distance of two feet from transceiver424. In this example, if wireless telephone 410 is more than two feetaway from transceiver 424, wireless telephone 410 is not interferedwith. Transceiver 424 is preferably installed within the steering wheelof vehicle 420.

If in step 506 the detected signal strength exceeds the threshold, thenthe process goes to step 508.

In step 508, transceiver 424 creates an interference to preventcommunication using wireless telephone 410. The interference preferablycorresponds with the frequency or frequencies used by wireless telephone410. Preferably, the interference is calibrated so that it only affectsuse of wireless telephone 410 within a predetermined distance oftransceiver 424. For example, the interference can be calibrated to onlyaffect an area within two feet of transceiver 424. This calibrationprevents only the driver of vehicle 424 from using wireless telephone410. In other words, the calibration allows other passengers to usewireless telephone 410 while vehicle 420 is in motion. Moreover,calibration limiting the effective range of the interference may berequired to comply with FCC regulations.

In step 510, wireless telephone 410 is disabled if it is located withinthe space affected by the interference that is created in step 508.Wireless telephone 410 remains disabled as long as mating units 419 and429 are not united.

In step 512, if mating units 419 and 429 are united by, for example,inserting wireless telephone 410 into a cradle system within vehicle420, i.e., mating units 419 and 429 are united, the interference isterminated in step 514. In one embodiment of the present invention,switch 421 interrupts power supplied to transceiver 424 when matingunits 419 and 429 are united. Alternatively, microprocessor 426 may beadapted to deactivate transceiver 424 when mating units 419 and 429 areunited.

In step 516, as a result of noninterference from transceiver 424,wireless telephone 410 is enabled to operate in a hands-free mode. Thehands-free mode may involve, for example, outputting audio signalsreceived by wireless telephone 410 using speaker 422.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps involved in using anembodiment of the invention in which no wireless communication sessionmay be established by a specific wireless telephone within the vehicleexcept during a hands-free mode. In this embodiment, only wirelesstelephones whose identity information is recognized by microprocessor426 will be interfered with.

Steps 602 through 616 are generally similar to corresponding steps 502through 516. In this embodiment, identity information of wirelesstelephone 410 is preloaded in a memory accessible by microprocessor 426.

In steps 602 and 604, transceiver 424 detects signals transmitted by allwireless telephones in the vicinity of vehicle 420. In this embodiment,transceiver 424 is preferably adapted to tune in to the control channelsused by wireless telephones that operate within network 400.

In step 606, transceiver 424, in cooperation with microprocessor 426,processes the signals received to determine whether the identityinformation incorporated within the signals is one that which has beenpreloaded in the memory. In other words, microprocessor 426 andtransceiver 424 determine specifically whether wireless telephone 410 isoperating with the vicinity of transceiver 424.

If wireless telephone 410 is in the vicinity, then the identityinformation received by microprocessor 426 would match that which ispreloaded in the memory. As a result, an interference is created todisrupt communication of wireless telephone 410 in steps 608 and 610,unless mating units 419 and 429 are united in step 612.

Steps 608 through 616 are generally similar to corresponding steps 508through 516. This embodiment allows wireless telephones not recognizedby microprocessor 426 to operate freely within vehicle 420.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a system architecture of anotherembodiment of the invention in which voice module 711 is a component ofwireless telephone 710. It is understood that wireless telephone 710 canbe one of wireless telephones 110 and 410, or a variation thereof. Inother words, one of wireless telephone 110 and 410 described above canbe adapted to include voice module 711 to implement this invention. Asan alternative to voice module 711, voice module 721 associated withvehicle 720 may be used. One or both voice modules 711 and 721 are usedto enable the user of wireless telephone 710 to dial telephone numbersor otherwise operate wireless telephone 710 using his or her voiceduring the hands-free mode.

Voice modules 711 and 721 can use one of several known voice recognitiontechnologies. For example, the technologies disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,042,063, 5,165,095, 5,452,340, 5,499,288, 5,826,199, 5,991,364,6,009,383, and 6,018,568, each of which is herein incorporated byreference in its entirety, may be adapted to implement the presentinvention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps involving in usingwireless telephone 710 in a hands-free mode using voice module 711. Instep 802 (which may be an equivalent step to one of steps 218, 318, 516,and 616 described above), wireless telephone 710 is operating in thehands-free mode.

In step 804, voice module 711 monitors the sound received by amicrophone (not shown) associated with wireless telephone 710.

In step 806, microprocessor 716 determines whether the sound received isa recognized command. If the sound is not a command, for example, anormal conversation is detected in step 804, the process repeats steps804 and 806. If the sound received in step 804 is recognized as acommand in step 806, however, the process continues in step 808. Forexample, the user may say “call home” in step 804 and the phrase “callhome” is understood by microprocessor 716 to dial a specific numberstored in memory 717, which is accessible to microprocessor 716.

In step 808, the command associated with the sound is executed. Forexample, the telephone number of the user's home is dialed.

In describing representative embodiments of the invention, thespecification may have presented the method and/or process of theinvention as a particular sequence of steps. However, to the extent thatthe method or process does not rely on the particular order of steps setforth herein, the method or process should not be limited to theparticular sequence of steps described. As one of ordinary skill in theart would appreciate, other sequences of steps may be possible.Therefore, the particular order of the steps set forth in thespecification should not be construed as limitations on the claims. Inaddition, the claims directed to the method and/or process of theinvention should not be limited to the performance of their steps in theorder written, and one skilled in the art can readily appreciate thatthe sequences may be varied and still remain within the spirit and scopeof the invention.

The foregoing disclosure of the embodiments of the invention has beenpresented for purposes of illustration and description. It is notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise formsdisclosed. Many variations and modifications of the embodimentsdescribed herein will be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art inlight of the above disclosure. The scope of the invention is to bedefined only by the claims appended hereto, and by their equivalents.

What we claim is:
 1. A wireless telephone system comprising: means fordetermining a positional relationship between a wireless telephone and avehicle; means for defining a condition; means for disabling one of thewireless telephone and the vehicle when the relationship satisfies thecondition; means for enabling the wireless telephone in a hands-freemode and the vehicle when a first mating unit associated with thewireless telephone and a second mating unit associated with the vehicleare united; and means for operating the wireless telephone in thehands-free mode.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the determining meanscomprises one or more location systems.
 3. The system of claim 2,wherein one of the location systems is a GPS receiver.
 4. The system ofclaim 2, wherein the location systems generate location information thatpinpoints a first location of the wireless telephone and a secondlocation of the vehicle.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein thedetermining means comprises a speedometer adapted to detect a movementof the vehicle.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the conditionindicates that the wireless telephone is located within the vehicle. 7.The system of claim 6, wherein the condition further indicates that thevehicle is moving.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the determiningmeans comprises a transceiver adapted to detect a signal transmitted bythe wireless telephone.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the conditionindicates that the wireless telephone is within a predetermined distanceof the transceiver.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the disablingmeans comprises a transceiver generating an interference disruptingwireless communication of the wireless telephone.
 11. A wirelesstelephone system comprising: a location system adapted to generate afirst location information pinpointing a first location of a wirelesstelephone and a second location information pinpointing a secondlocation of a vehicle; a microprocessor adapted to determine arelationship between the first location and the second location, whereinif the relationship satisfies a predetermined condition, themicroprocessor disables one of the wireless telephone and the vehicle;and a first mating unit associated with the wireless telephone and asecond mating unit associated with the vehicle, wherein when the firstmating unit and the second mating unit are united, the microprocessorenables normal operation of the vehicle, and wherein the wirelesstelephone is enabled to operate in a hands-free mode.
 12. The system ofclaim 11, wherein the location system and the microprocessor arenetwork-based components.
 13. The system of claim 11, wherein thelocation system comprises two units, and wherein the first unit isassociated with the wireless telephone and the second unit is associatedwith the vehicle.
 14. The system of claim 13, wherein one or both of thefirst unit and the second unit are GPS receivers.
 15. The system ofclaim 11, wherein the microprocessor is associated with the wirelesstelephone, and wherein the predetermined condition is stored in a memoryaccessible by the microprocessor.
 16. The system of claim 11, whereinthe microprocessor is associated with the vehicle, and wherein thepredetermined condition is stored in a memory accessible by themicroprocessor.
 17. The system of claim 16, further comprising anignition system associated with the vehicle, wherein the microprocessordisables the ignition system when the predetermined condition issatisfied.
 18. The system of claim 11, further comprising a speakerassociated with the vehicle, wherein the hands-free mode involvesoutputting audio signals received by the wireless telephone on thespeaker.
 19. The system of claim 11, further comprising a speakerassociated with the wireless telephone, wherein the hands-free modeinvolves outputting audio signals received by the wireless telephone onthe speaker at an increased decibel level.
 20. The system of claim 11,further comprising a voice module, wherein the voice module is adaptedto receive voice commands for operation of the wireless telephone in thehands-free mode.
 21. A wireless telephone system comprising: a firstmating unit associated with a wireless telephone; a second mating unitassociated with a vehicle, wherein the second mating unit is adapted tounite with the first mating unit; a transceiver associated with thevehicle, wherein the transceiver creates an interference disabling thewireless telephone when a predetermined condition is satisfied and whenthe first mating unit and the second mating unit are not united; and aspeaker associated with one of the wireless telephone and the vehicle,wherein the speaker is adapted to output sound signals received by thewireless telephone during a hands-free mode when the first mating unitand the second mating unit are united.
 22. The system of claim 21,wherein the condition indicates that the wireless telephone is locatedwithin the vehicle.
 23. The system of claim 21, wherein the conditionindicated that the wireless telephone is located within about two feetof the transceiver.
 24. The system of claim 21, further comprising aswitch in communication with the second mating unit, wherein the switchpowers off the transceiver when the first mating unit and the secondmating unit are united.
 25. The system of claim 21, wherein theinterference is calibrated to affect a space surrounding a driver seatof the vehicle.
 26. A method for using a wireless telephone in a vehiclecomprising the steps of: monitoring a relationship between the wirelesstelephone and the vehicle; determining whether the relationshipconstitutes an unsafe condition for simultaneous operation of thewireless telephone and the vehicle; disabling one of the wirelesstelephone and the vehicle if the unsafe condition exists and a firstmating unit associated with the wireless telephone is not united with asecond mating unit associated with the vehicle; and enabling normaloperation of the vehicle and limiting operation of the wirelesstelephone to a hands-free mode when the first mating unit and the secondmating unit are united.
 27. The method of claim 26, wherein therelationship indicates that the wireless telephone is located within thevehicle.
 28. The method of claim 26, further comprises the step ofevaluating location information generated by a location system todetermine the relationship.
 29. The method of claim 28, wherein thelocation information comprises a first location of the wirelesstelephone and a second location of the vehicle.
 30. The method of claim26, further comprises the step of measuring a signal strengthtransmitted by the wireless telephone by a transceiver associated withthe vehicle.
 31. The method of claim 30, further comprising the step ofcreating an interference to disrupt wireless communication of thewireless telephone when the signal strength indicates that the wirelesstelephone is located within the vehicle.
 32. The method of claim 31,wherein interference is calibrated to affect a space surrounding adriver seat of the vehicle.
 33. A method for using a wireless telephonein a vehicle comprising: determining the presence of the wirelesstelephone within the vehicle; preventing the vehicle from moving if thewireless telephone is engaged in a wireless communication session;disabling the wireless telephone if the vehicle is moving; and enablingnormal operation of the vehicle and allowing operation of the wirelesstelephone if a first mating unit of the wireless telephone and a secondmating unit of the vehicle are united.
 34. The method of claim 33,wherein the determining step is performed by a location system.
 35. Themethod of claim 33, wherein the determining step is performed by atransceiver.
 36. The method of claim 33, wherein the preventing step isperformed by a microprocessor that controls an ignition system of thevehicle.
 37. The method of claim 33, wherein the disabling step isperformed by a microprocessor that controls the wireless telephone. 38.The method of claim 33, wherein the disabling step is performed by atransceiver associated with the vehicle that creates an interference.39. The method of claim 38, wherein the second mating unit is incommunication with a switch that controls the transceiver.